THEOLOGY SCHOOL FOR LAY PEOPLE General Guidelines a) Individual and/or Group Study The "Theology Course for Laypeople" is suited for both individual and/or group study. If you intend to study the Catechism of the Catholic Church, you can certainly do it on you own. The Christian journey is a personal endeavour: you are responsible for your own salvation.Yet, the Gospel doesn’t recommend to travel alone. Find other people that share your interest and invite them to join you in the study of the Catechism.The ideal would be to create a small group of disciples ( three to five members) who pray weekly together, share ideas and experiences and who are equally committed to witness their faith to the world. b) A Weekly Project The first portion of the Catechism (CCC 1-421) is covered with 13 lessons. Technically, they could be mastered in a week. However, this would defeat the purpose of this course. Our aim is the Christian formation. The Word of God cannot be swallowed, but has to percolate in our being for some time, along with prayer and reflection. We do not study the Catechism to get a credit or a degree, but simply to learn how to comunicate with God and remain in communion with Him. Thus, the best way of taking advantage of this course, is to turn each lesson in a quiet and consistent weekly journey.During the week, re-read the text of the lesson every day, use in your prayers the phrases you have jotted down in you notebook, and, more important, act out in your life the new Word you have just learned. c) How to Approach Each Lesson Each lesson should be approached with desire and humility: the desire to be reborn from God and the humility that lets the Spirit of God transform our lives the way he chooses. First, we believe that the Word of God, which is embedded and echoed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), has the power to transform our personal life. Consequently we approach each lesson with a burning desire to know the truth that frees us from the bondage of sin and helps us to be reborn and to grow as children of God. At the end of every lesson the more important question should not be, "what have I learned today", but "what should I do now, to put the Word into action". Second, we believe that the real teacher of our soul is the Holy Spirit. We must constantly be in the listening mode, ready to treasure and follow his inspirations. To listen to the Spirit is a work of art and love. The more you grow in holiness, the more you will become a good listener.Our model is the Blessed Vergin Mary, who "kept all these things, reflecting on them in his heart" and in whom, through the Holy Spirit, the Word became flesh. Our goal is to welcome the Holy Spirit in our lives, so that his divine power will transform us into Christ. To those who begin the study of the Catechism of the Catholic Church we suggest the following fivefold approach in the Spirit. a) Praying the Holy spirit The first step consists in the formal invocation of the Holy Spirit. b) Reading with the Holy spirit The second step starts with the devout reading of the assigned CCC text. c) Reflecting in the spirit The study questions and exercises that follow, as a third step, should also be done in a reflective and prayful way, in order to learn in the Spirit, i. e. with both mind and heart. d) Acting through the spirit As a fourth step, each lesson should bring anew the committment to act in the Spirit, both in the personal spiritual journey and in the allied apostolic works. e) Sharing through the spirit Finally, the fifth step invites you to share your renewed faith and enthusiasm with your family, your friends, and, through the Discussion Group, to all the world. d) How to start Before registering, try Lesson One. If you think the proposed approach to the Catechism can be of some help to your spiritual journey, then go on. Register and and let each lesson fill your mind and your heart for a week. God bless you! Go to : First Lesson [ Presentation| Participation | Program| Lessons ] [ Donations| Discussion| Links | ] © 2001 LuxChristi.ca. All rights reserved.